Aug 25, 2011

We went up to Fitchburg to visit family before we head south, my Dad and Jodi were visiting from Florida too. We all had a great time. Unfortunately, Chris stayed home to work on installing the water maker and do some wiring. When we get home we will have to start doing some prep for the hurricane, hopefully, it falls off to the west and dies. Right now I am angry that we have to think about this at all.

Aug 21, 2011

We all went to Deason's end of the season sailing school awards dinner. Chris's parents and Kristin came along as well, it was a beautiful night so we all walked down to the yacht club since it is only 1/2 mile away. There was a spaghetti dinner, and then the awards ceremony. Every class member was given a certificate, and each class had a "most improved" award and an "instructors choice" award. By 8:30 Dahlia was getting tired and we decided to leave. At that time they had given out all of the racing awards and with only a few more awards to be given, we snuck out during a standing ovation for a volunteer award.
We got back to the boat and heard someone yelling "HELLO...HELLO"! Joyce from Boston Yacht Sales (she works at the MacDougalls' yard, and is also a member at the yacht club) had driven down from the yacht club to come and get us. Apparently, Deason was chosen for the last award of the evening. It's the "Robert E. Arnold Sportsmanship Award". We were told that they gave this big speech about Robert Arnold who was a great guy who everyone wanted around, would do anything to help anyone, and while he wasn't the fastest sailor out there he had the best attitude. Then they told a story about Deason, who had sacrificed his sinking shirt to save the rudder that was floating away after his boat had capsized. Joyce had came to track us down and bring us back to the yacht club so Deason could get his plaque and to see the big cup that will now have his name engraved on it along with all of the others who have won the award in the past.
I have to say, I have never in my life felt so emotionally conflicted. I am so proud of him, but I am also devastated that we weren't there. At the time that they were giving out the "instructors choice" award for Deason's class, I internally thought that with everything they were saying...it had to be Deason, and was a little disappointed for him that he didn't get that award. Then, we left early and completely robbed Deason of this great opportunity to be recognized for being such a great kid. By the time we got back to the yacht club most of the people were gone, but all of the instructors and the program director were still there, and Deason was ecstatic just to have them recognize him. Selfishly, I am sad that we missed it all. I wanted to hear what they had to say about him, I would have loved to see him get up there and have everyone clap for him. But being the great sport that he is, he was happy to get the plaque and be able to show it to all the dock staff.

Aug 16, 2011

We went on a sunset cruise the other night with some friends who are visiting from California, and my best friend Kristin who will be our deck hand on our trip down the coast (Kristin has just graduated from PA school and we are kidnapping her before she has to start working, hopefully she will stay on board until we get to Hilton Head).
The sunset cruise was suppose to be a sunset sail, but there was absolutely no wind. So, we motored over to Vineyard Haven and anchored out side the main harbor so we could have dinner. When we set out it was misting rain and a little cold...sweatshirts required kind of cold. Thankfully, we trusted the forecast, because it cleared up as soon as we anchored and later we were able to witness one of the most amazing sunsets I have seen in a while.

Aug 13, 2011

Deason saved his money all summer and used it to buy a kayak. He got a sit on top ocean kayak, mainly because he can jump off of it and it won't tip over (supposedly). It is also self bailing and will not sink. All that tip money, and money from the swear jar finally went to good use.
We got a regular kayak with a cockpit so Dahlia can ride with us, both kayaks are short and light. They are both about 9ft long and weigh approx. 40lbs each, Deason can almost carry his own kayak. Which is pretty amazing considering he only weighs about 65lbs.
Meanwhile, we have been prepping Dahlia for her watches on the way down. She will happily look through the binoculars all day long, we are just not entirely sure if she is trust worthy enough to stay awake for a midnight watch....maybe a few more years!

Aug 12, 2011

Dahlia has really taken to riding in the dinghy. We can't mention the word "dinghy" without her begging to go for a ride. The only problem with going in Deason's rowing dinghy is that when Deason is rowing and there is an adult in the stern, the bow is completely out of the water. It makes it kind of difficult for him to row, but Dahlia isn't old enough to ride alone with Deason, maybe in a few more years!

Aug 6, 2011

I find it amazing that Deason has been able to integrate himself into all working aspects of the docks. He is in love with the Sea Tow boat and it has been all he can talk about lately. I need to find a way to get him interested in the electrical shop and refrigerator maintenance departments, so he can be our repair man too!

Aug 2, 2011

Dahlia helping to wash the boat after we got back!
Coming by Nobska Light on our way back to MacDougalls.


Our second day at anchor was beautiful, swimming, boating, eating, more swimming, after such a great day I feel guilty even mentioning the storm. At about 8pm the wind picked up, and the clouds rolled in. At first it appeared as if the storm was just going to miss us, but then it got really dark and the rain became torrential. Then I heard Deason ask Chris "why we were getting hit by ice cubes". For about five minutes we got pelted with almond sized hail, and it was SO loud when it was hitting the whole boat. At the time, I was thinking that I can't remember being in a hail storm on the Cape. There were probably plenty of storms like that over the years, but I never noticed it being inside a house. It is amazing how attuned we get to the weather, some times it is all we talk about...what's the forecast?....where is the wind coming from? and I use to never even consider it before living aboard. Fortunately, those storms never last long, and after an hour the wind died back down, and it was quiet as can be again!